THE CASE OF Capt. John Blackwell, Concerning several matters objected against him.   

THE CASE OF Capt. John Blackwell,  

Concerning building the Court and Scaffold etc.  
THat it's true there was an order appointing him Surveyor of the Court, but (he excusing himself to the Committee who were to take care of that business) they themselves viewed and particularly ordered the place, the form and manner of the Court, as they did also afterwards of the Scaffold, They also appointed a Master Carpenter for the buying of the materials, providing and oversight of the other workmen, the account whereof was kept by a Clerk appointed by the Committee for that service: And the said John Blackwell was ordered to see there was no wrong done in expending the money with which he was entrusted on that occasion; and to issue forth the same by warrant from the Court.   

Concerning lend of money to build the Court, etc.  
That the thousand pounds paid for the service of the Court, was not advanced or lent by him out of his own estate, but was the State's money in his hands (who was then Deputy Treasurer at war) ordered to be disposed to this occasion, for a season; and to be repaid to him out of the public Revenue. Which was an ordinary course in those times, wherein almost all the Treasure of the Nation was paid in to the Treasurers for the use of the Army.   

Concerning wainscotting or flooring a room with the boards whereon His Majesty's blood was, and boasting thereof.  
That he never had or meddled with one board, or the least piece of any of the materials used about the Scaffold, much less wainscotted or floored any room, or any part of a room therewith. And he utterly detests and abhors the inhumanity and barbarousness of such an action.   

Concerning his raising a Regiment for the Committee of Safety at his own charge.  
That he never raised or Commanded any Forces by any Commission from the Committee of Safety. It's true he received a Commission from Lieutenant General Fleetwood for a Regiment to be added to, and paid with the Army, whereof there were four Companies Raised by four of the Captains, and no more: And he supposeth this is the ground of that suggestion; for he knoweth no other.   

Concerning his Estate.  
That all his present Estate in England is public Title, and is under three hundred pounds per annum, but will be about two hundred pounds per annum more upon improvement.  
That his Estate in Ireland is under nine hundred pounds per annum, and was set out to him for his Adventure in pursuance of the Acts of Parliament, passed by His late Majesty in the seventeenth and eighteenth years of his Reign.  
That he is really indebted to several persons above six thousand Pounds principal money, which he can not otherwise satisfy, than out of the said Estate: which is not worth above six thousand pound more: and which is all the Estate he hath in the world, either by his own purchase, or by descent from his Father, whose heir he was, to a considerable Estate.  
That he hath a wife and six small children, with two brothers, two sisters and divers poor kindred to be provided for by him, and who otherwise have not bread.   

Concerning his Accounts.  
That he hath a vast Account of divers Millions of money to make up, which will also be very chargeable to him; and which he must personally attend.  
That the said accounts are of very great Concernment to the three Kingdoms, and all the Soldiery.  
That he was never charged, or can be, with the least unfaithfulness in the mannagement of that great trust; nor hath he raised to himself any considerable Estate, during his fifteen years' employment therein, as appears above.